Gamification and Game-Based Learning

“It is part of our nature to play, and it is part of our nature to rise to challenges when presented to us if those challenges are interesting.” - Scot Osterweil (2013)

Gamification and game-based learning encompass a range of pedagogical approaches which introduce game elements into course learning activities. Most often the rationale behind incorporating game elements into courses is to improve learning outcomes. The effectiveness of gamification is often tied to foundational neurological processes of challenge and reward. The practice works best when part of a well-planned course or lesson which encourages enquiry, consolidates knowledge, build community and hone problem solving skills.

Resources to develop game elements for your course.

When executed well, game elements can:

• Increase student motivation and deepen their engagement with course materials
• Learn or consolidate foundational knowledge
• Provide an opportunity to practice important processes or scaffold students build mastery on these processes
• Be means to introduce simulated or ‘authentic’ learning experiences.

There are a suite of resources to support faculty looking to incorporate game elements into their course or use technology to support gamification. These resources are provided in three stages:

Stage 1: Gamification Framework provides an overview of the psychology behind gamification, an outline of the different game elements and what is involved in developing a successful game based learning experience.

Stage 2: Discipline-Specific Examples provides a series of case studies to get faculty started on introducing game elements into their courses.

Stage 3: Game-Based Learning Course - a series of short modules designed for course instructors looking to go further into their approach at developing game elements to support learning.

Resources on using Brightspace tools to develop game elements in your course.

There are a range of Brightspace tools which support gamification and game-based learning. The following resources can help faculty get started on using these features. As always the Studio can provide further training and offer consultations to help you get started.

• Game-Based Learning - Brightspace Game-Based Learning tool, combines a series of learning activities into cohesive visual and interactive environment.
• Guide on Brightspace Awards - Awards and Badges simultaneously recognizes and rewards achievement or contributions to the learning and intellectual community building. Whilst also identifying mastery in areas which can be transferred to other contexts.
• Socratic Tool - Socratic tool affords the opportunity to post questions directly into your course content [Brightspace html pages]. Students responses can be viewed within the Assignments tool.